In ten songs on A Quiet Evil about eighteen Canadians play, while the band’s core exists of eight men and a woman. That does not lead to much volume, because singer Tom Wilson (ex-Junkhouse) and guitarist/producer Michael Timmins prefer moody ballads, although there also are three restrained uptempo-songs.
Timmins’ sister Margo sings along and Cowboy Junkies Alan Anton – bass and Peter Timmins – drums play regularly, although the rhythm section consists of Josh Finlayson – bass and Ray Farrugia – drums (ex-Junkhouse) more often. Together with a host of friends, among whom Colin Linden – dobro, they play melancholic, atmospheric Americana.
Paradoxally the ballads are often propelled by drums and percussion, but determining are space and atmosphere, which have a huge underlying tension, also because of Tom Wilson’s half-spoken vocals.
Regret and desire play a big part in them. That way, the music clearly resembles Robbie Robertson’s solo CDs and that of the Cowboy Junkies, but is more intense at the same time.
That Lee Harvey Osmond will be touring als opener for theCowboy Junkies is no more than logical, in other words.
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